1. As mentioned on her blog, she and I and some other writers are going to be hosting a "March Madness" for writers. It’s basically nano in March where you set your own goal and try to meet it. We’re hoping we can all motivate each other to be super productive that month! You can have a revising goal or a writing goal, it really doesn’t matter! Also, we’re going to be giving away prizes for participants, and well, I do have A LOT of ARCs I can give away for this. So if you’re stuck on a project, procrastinating too much, or just want to start something new, get prepared for March!

2. I’m looking into changing careers and getting certified to be a High School Computer Graphics Teacher. It seems to get certified I only need to take a teaching prep course and that’s it, since I have a degree in computer graphics and 7 years of professional experience. Is anyone a teacher in NJ? If so, I’d like to pick your brain if you don’t mind. Please post in the comments or email me at shanasilver at gmail dot com.

3. Now that I’ve been researching the teacher thing, I guess my mind is on school, and so my standard recurring nightmare has returned, though this time with a twist. Usually it’s the last semester of college and I forget I’ve signed up for Spanish but remember just in time to take the final I know nothing for. I often have to play detective and decipher where the classroom is and then beg the teacher to let me take the test. This time it was worse. It was math class and I’d been in the class semester all along…but I never scored higher than a 30 out of 100 on a quiz, so this test is my last shot to pull up my grade. Except, I really don’t know anything. I haven’t been able to memorize the complicated formulas–formulas that involve square roots in case you’re interested. I think, "Okay, just quickly memorize your notes while everyone takes their seats." My notes are SUPER neat by the way, which is odd, considering I can only keep my handwriting neat for less than a page before I get lazy and sloppy. So I start trying to memorize and then give up and try to etch the formulas into the desk, which somehow i justify in my dream as not cheating. Of course the teacher catches me and disagrees with my rationalization. He makes me put away my notebook. I’m brilliant though, so I stick the notebook under my desk–notes side up–and try to cheat that way, which is difficult because I’ve forgotten my glasses. He catches me doing that as well and takes the notebook and turns it to a blank page. Then he declares, just to spite me, that we’re not allowed to show our work. He’s just going to grade on the correct answers. I figure my best shot at this point is to pick random numbers out of my butt and hope they’re right. Then wake up. Even though I’m laying in my bed seven years after I graduated college (and approx 11 years since I last took math since I didn’t take it in college), I sit there for several minutes freaking out about my botched exam, wondering what I can do to fix it. Eventually the lump of a boy next to me stirs and I start to remember the truth. So phew, it was only a dream, but it’s the worst kind because it seems SO REAL, not like the dreams where I’m flying or the scenery abruptly.Ever have dreams like this one?

4. I am supposed to be on a wedding diet, so why in the world did I buy a box of Girl Scout Samoas, a box of Girl Scout thin mints, some chocolate covered oreos and s’mores at this gourmet chocolate place, cookie dough fudge, and a cadbury creme egg? I suck.

5. I can’t find anyone to see PERCY JACKSON with. I even tried to beg my dad, who I can always count on to see whatever movie I want when no one else will. He said no! I want to see it!

1. I’m thankful that I’m finally back to revising THE ART OF SELLING MY SISTER. I love this book so much, and it’s so great to get back to characters I know so well and adore. I’m rewriting the entire act 3 of this one and changing the mystery solution so it’s "bigger" and "more satisfying." I’m also amping the conflict.

2. I’m thankful that a good majority of shows are in reruns right now because I was FINALLY able to catch up on my extensive TV following schedule. I’m also thankful the Locke episode of LOST was significantly better than the waste-of-time Kate episode. I’m thankful I’m absolutely LOVING "Life Unexpected." I have a new major crush on Baze, though it’s not *so* new since I was crushing on him when I watched him on "Valentine" even though I was probably that show’s only viewer. I’m also thankful "Vampire Diaries" was renewed for a 2nd season.

3. I’m thankful for all the fabulous books I’ve been reading lately after picking up a bunch at ALA. So far I have loved: Linger, Sisters Red, The Reckoning, Before I Fall, and Spells. I’m going to be giving away at least one of these books very soon.

4. I’m thankful my wedding dress and invitations are in! I’m going to try on the dress on Saturday to make sure it’s the right one and the right size (though this will not be a first fitting, I’m scheduling that later in case some miracle happens and I actually start working out before the wedding). As I mentioned on twitter, I’ll post pics…but not until after the wedding since the boy reads the blog and I don’t want him seeing it before the Big Day.

5. I’m thankful about the new outline I wrote this month for my next WIP, which ideally I’ll start writing in March. I did write a portion during nano, but I knew some things weren’t working. Now I’ve figured out how to make them work. However, this requires starting from scratch. Still, this is a good thing! I know the manuscript will be much stronger! This is my first time dabbling in something paranormal, not contemporary, and I’m excited about that as well.

6. I’m thankful for my awesome critique partners who have helped immensely with talking about revision ideas for my sisters book as well as the new WIP. You guys rock, and Jen Hayley!